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Help S3 stuck in boot loop

Hi

My Wifes S3 is stuck in a boot loop, every time its turned on it shows 02 logo then samsung, then repeats (side note the boot up tune is different from before the boot loop started).

The phone is not rooted or any customising on it ( and never had)

I tried loaded recover mode and saw the error "Failed to mount /efs" And tried "wipe cache partition" but that has not worked.

I have not done factory reset as there a pictures and Videos she wants saved.

I have tried Kies 3 but when I connect it in download mode i get the error "connected device is not supported by Kies 3" ( my s3 works fine with kies).

Tried booting in safe mode, but that does not work

Is there anyway to save the pictures off the phone?

Many Thanks
 
Is there an option to mount the phone as storage via usb in the stock recovery settings?

No the only options are:
-Reboot system now
- Apply update from AUB
- apply update from external storage
- wipe data/factory reset
- wipe cache partition
-apply update from cache

Try starting the phone in safe mode:

Galaxy S3 Tips and Tricks : Android Safemode Boot - YouTube

Once in safe mode; connect to your windows pc as as a PTP device (in phones USB settings) and then browse the phone using windows explorer; drag and drop the pics & video from phone to windows.

Don't go near Kies!!

Won't go into safe mode, just keeps boot looping



I have been googling around, would trying to load some think like like

Install ClockworkMod Recovery 6.0.4.7 on Galaxy S3 GT-I9300 - How To | True Android | #1 Custom Android Resource

would/could this work with our losing data off the phone?

Thanks
 
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That's recovery mode. Try wipe cache partition - that will sometimes help.

If that does not work, and you have everything backed up, then do wipe date/factory reset. All data will be gone, but the phone might work again.


No the only options are:
-Reboot system now
- Apply update from AUB
- apply update from external storage
- wipe data/factory reset
- wipe cache partition
-apply update from cache



Won't go into safe mode, just keeps boot looping



I have been googling around, would trying to load some think like like

Install ClockworkMod Recovery 6.0.4.7 on Galaxy S3 GT-I9300 - How To | True Android | #1 Custom Android Resource

would/could this work with our losing data off the phone?

Thanks
 
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Can you get into download mode? the easiest way out might be to flash a recovery, then flash a rom. Not that that is a guarantee. Recoveries do not normally allow you to mount internal storage to your pc, just sdcards. So you are going to need to get the phone booting.
My recovery does not wipe the internal sd when I switch roms so maybe you're in luck.
 
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Can you get into download mode? the easiest way out might be to flash a recovery, then flash a rom. Not that that is a guarantee. Recoveries do not normally allow you to mount internal storage to your pc, just sdcards. So you are going to need to get the phone booting.
My recovery does not wipe the internal sd when I switch roms so maybe you're in luck.

Yes I can get into download mode. I tried connecting to kies while in download mode and while the pc could recognise something had been connect to it, it does not pickup the internal memory of the card. Kies also recognises that something has been connected but then says this version of kies does not support your device (but it does pick up my own working s3)

Thanks
Can you explain (or link to a tutorial) so i can flash a recovery?
 
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Yes I can get into download mode. I tried connecting to kies while in download mode and while the pc could recognise something had been connect to it, it does not pickup the internal memory of the card. Kies also recognises that something has been connected but then says this version of kies does not support your device (but it does pick up my own working s3)

Thanks
Can you explain (or link to a tutorial) so i can flash a recovery?

Basics is your gonna need odin not sure if variant of s3 has to do with what version of odin you need but you will need the stock firmware for phone. And flash that with odin. You can find it through sammy website just make sure you download specific to your phone and kee in mind if you took 4.3 update cant use lower firware id check into if applies to kitkat as well just to be safe
 
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Did this issue come about after an update? I recently had issues with a Note 2 after an update and the mere mention of an EFS issue isn't looking all that good.

If you're flashing on stock through Odin any internal storage (actually on the phone not an SD card) is gone.

Good luck, I had to send the Note 2 off to Samsung in the end, I spent the best part of a day trying allsorts (but the scenario was different involving an unknown IMEI and baseband so don't panic) That phone was completely stock also.
 
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I put this on the back burning, tried getting this working today. I followed
dmcjr22's instructions ( I have the same model as my wife , bought them at the same time so I was able to the the firmware ok), and useing this guide
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/help/guide-odin-flash-guide-t1671969
installed the firmware... but no difference, still will not boot ( it doesn't loop anymore, just hangs on the samsung logo). So I tried "wipe data/factory reset".... still no change.

Still getting the "Failed to mount /efs" in recovery mode

I been googling around found this guide, but i'm weary of downloading some random file from media fire...
 
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Means that he stated that he does not have root or any mods on his phone.
I suggest root it with philz tar file
Then download a copy of stock version barebones
Then dirty flash it it as he is not installing a different type of rom he should be fine.
Once he is in philz recovery choose A modified restore then choose restore from sd1 =external SD
Then choose restore system only then next list comes up. Choose from context only then let it rip.
Choosing cache may also work then its going to show u the backed up version of "stock rom u downloaded" click it n let it rip.

What I feel is the problem is the system part of the rom most likely became curupted some how n not agreeing with the boot process. By doing this he is replacing his system with a readable source n should start running within 5 mins after the first boot then shut down and start again then should boot normal again if so then shut down and boot into philz recovery n choose backup to a clean sd1

I have done this when ever I have problems

Next method instal philz recovery n root phone
And choose mount USB plug in phone to computer wait till drivers install then u should see ur phone icon in my computer click it n go to dcim folder or pictures n snag he pictures from their n copy to desktop wait till complete n done.
 
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Is ur battery fully charged or have enough juice to boot ur phone number I know sometimes or near every time I have my phone plugged in on charge when trying to power on my phone it does what appears to be what I call a battery boot loop cause it starts to like it's going to start next then was back to the battery.rle picture showing up cycling thru its charging. At that point I have to unplug my phone if I know it's got enough charge on then start it.
 
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Once he is in philz recovery choose A modified restore then choose restore from sd1 =external SD
Then choose restore system only then next list comes up. Choose from context only then let it rip.

I got philz recovery on the phone ( this is furthest I have gotten so far). I just want to clarify from your instructions, I do i have to put the stock version on to an sd card and try and recover from it?


Is ur battery fully charged or have enough juice to boot ur phone number I.....

Yeah I have let it fully charge, empty out half charge etc etc, still same result.
 
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quick question, since my own S3 is the same model, carrier as the bricked phone ( bought on the same contact at the same time). Can I do a backup off my phone and use that to restore on my wifes phone? just case the firmware I have downloaded off sammy is not right ( I went on the site again and I now can find a copy of my country and operator, but I still have a copy of it locally)
 
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ok.... but what's a nandriod backup, can that be done with philZ? ( keep in mind that the broken phone it not rooted)

thanks

update:

Should I Following the instructions at the bottom of this article?
BACKUP AND RESTORE YOUR ANDROID DEVICE USING PHILZ RECOVERY
http://www.droidviews.com/backup-restore-android-device-using-cwm-recovery/

Only backuping from my working phone on to a SD and then restoring from the broken phone from that SD?
 
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